COMMISSION FOR WOMEN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026, AT 12:00 P.M. CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission for Women may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by remotely, contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2792. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Becky Bullard, Chair Alexandria Anderson Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Diana Melendez Alicia Ramirez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Katrina Scheihing Rabia Shaik Fernanda Veloz Salas Shaimaa Zayan The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on February 4, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding women’s wellness by Noor Collective. 3. Presentation by Mama Sana Vibrant Woman regarding FY 2026-2027 budget recommendations. 4. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and a request for the prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 2026-2027 budget. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Budget Working Group and discussion of possible recommendations. 6. Update from the Recognition Working Group on the progress towards the event. 7. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on the progress of the Quality of Life Study on Austin’s Women and Girls. 8. Update from the Maternal Health Working Group and discussion of their scope of work. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 9. Recommendation by the Budget Working Group regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. 11. Approve an update to the membership of the Maternal Health Working Group. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the …
Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 4, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Tau called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Alexandria Anderson Angela Harris Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Katrina Scheihing Rabia Shaik Shaimaa Zayan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women Regular Meeting on January 7, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on January 7, 2026 were approved on Vice Chair Tau’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 6 – 0 vote. Commissioner Shaik was off the dais. Chair Bullard and Commissioners Bissereth, Melendez and Veloz Salas were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 2. 3. Update from the Maternal Health Working Group and discussion of their scope. The update was given by Commissioner Anderson. Update from the Budget Working Group and discussion of possible recommendations. The update was given by Commissioner Anderson. 1 FUTURE ITEMS Noor Collective Presentation American Gateways Presentation Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (AACME)- Creative Reset Staff Briefing Mama Sana Presentation Recognition Working Group Update Budget Working Group Update and Possible Action regarding Budget Recommendations Maternal Health Working Group Update and Membership Update Quality of Life Working Group Update CRCSM Working Group Update Vice Chair Tau adjourned the meeting at 12:18 p.m. without objection. 2
Commission for Women Maternal Working Group Mission: 3/4/2026 The Commission on Women’s Maternal Health Working Group is dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and high-quality maternal healthcare for all women. We work to identify systemic barriers, elevate community voices, and recommend policies and practices that improve outcomes for mothers and families across every stage of pregnancy and postpartum care. Vision: The Commission on Women’s Maternal Health Working Group is committed to shaping data-informed policies, strengthening healthcare systems, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity while promoting long-term wellness for women and families.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission for Women Recommendation Number: 20260304-010: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Recommendation Date of Approval: March 4, 2026 Recommendation: Organization: Mama Sana Vibrant Woman Subject: Maternal Health & Housing Stabilization Description of Recommendation to Council (1 of 2): Being a City of Austin partner since 2016, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman delivers culturally responsive maternal health to Black and Latinx communities. As needs continue to rise and the cost of living in Central Texas increases, funding for Mama Sana Vibrant Woman’s maternal health services was cut by 10% in FY26, and its rental assistance support was eliminated entirely. We strongly urge the City Council to restore and sustain the previous funding level of $900,000— $500,000 dedicated to housing stabilization and $400,000 to maternal health services. This is a critical stabilization strategy to prevent future family displacement, protect maternal health outcomes, and avoid far greater downstream public costs. Rationale: • Housing Stability: In 2025, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman served 288 households. They distributed $666,759 in rental assistance, directly preventing eviction. Research confirms that housing instability during pregnancy increases rates of low birth weight, preterm delivery, maternal mental health issues, and NICU admissions. • Proven Partnership with the City of Austin: Mama Sana Vibrant Woman has a strong track record of reasonably administering City funds, effectively collaborating with sister organizations, and responding quickly to emerging community needs. • Equity-Focused Intervention: Black and Latinx mothers in Austin experience disproportionately maternal morbidity and housing insecurity. In 2025, they supported 477 children. Mama Sana Vibrant Woman’s services directly counteract those disparities. Alignment with Commission for Women Mission/Vision/Values: Mama Sana Vibrant Women work aligns with the Commission for Women’s vision and values of recommending programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic, and vocational pursuits. These programs ensure Black and Latinx mothers remain safely housed, supported in their health, and connected to competent care—advancing a more just and inclusive Austin for families and mothers. To continue to cut funding from this organization will contradict the City’s commitments to prioritize women’s quality of health, so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls. Organization: American Gateways Subject: Immigration Legal Services, Deportation Defense and Citizenship Support Description of Recommendation to Council (2 of 2): As a longstanding City of Austin partner, American Gateways provides high quality, low cost and free legal services to low income immigrants …
